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40 First Steps to Jainism
performed and these also require watch and regulation for self discipline.
45. To illustrate bodily activity one may take the case of a man committing violence with his own hand or asking some one else to do so by. giving an indication like raising of hand, or approving of some violence being committed by indication like clapping. These are examples of bodily performance by oneself, by getting done through others and approval of such activity respectively. Similar illustrations can be given for activities of mind and speech.
46. For practising Right Conduct the saints who have renounced worldly life abjure all types of sinful activity through the three medias (voga) as well as three methods (karmas) for all times to come.
47. However, the laity can withdraw from sinful activity by renouncing such activity to a limited extent e.g. by abjuring violence through one media (say body) and one method (say activity by oneself). This can also be done for a limited time and one can progress in stages.
48. Though it may make this discussions a bit lengthy, it will be of interest to record the forty-nine combinations of these three methods and three medias, which in turn will show the wide range in which self control can be exercised. This will also show the detailed scrutiny of the subject which is a common feature of Jainism-also known as spiritual mathematics.
49. There can be seven combinations of the three methods and three medias as given below-since we are talking of restricting activity the methods have been prefixed with "not".
1.
2.
3.
4.
Jain Education International
Methods
Not do
Not get done
Not approve
Not do and not get done
Medias
1. By mind
2. By speech
3. By body
4. By mind and speech
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